I Traveled Japan SOLO and This Is What I Learned
🌏 Solo Travel in Japan: Everything You Need to Know! 🇯🇵
Thinking about traveling to Japan alone? This video is your ultimate guide to solo travel in Japan, covering my personal experience, and everything from the thrill of exploring on your own to practical tips that will make your trip unforgettable.
✨ Discover why solo travel in Japan is a must-try experience:
✅ Is Japan safe for solo travelers?
✅ How to overcome loneliness while traveling alone
✅ Eating solo in Japan
✅ What to do when plans change unexpectedly
✅ Tips for meeting locals and fellow travelers
✅ How to navigate getting lost (because it happens!)
✅ Finding the best solo-friendly accommodations
✅ Insider travel tips for first-timers
If you are planning your first solo trip or looking for ways to improve your next adventure, this video will leave you feeling inspired and ready to say, “I can do it…alone!”
📍 From stunning Mt. Fuji to Tokyo streets, Japan is calling, and you’re more than ready to answer. Let’s dive into how to make your solo travel dreams a reality!
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Japan travel tips and inspiration. Let me know your biggest solo travel question in the comments—I’d love to help!
Check out my second channel: @HappyGaijin
Support and links: http://www.ninjasaru.com
Chapters:
00:00 Are you worried about Japan solo travel?
00:32 Why solo travel in Japan?
01:23 Eating alone in Japan
02:09 How to meet people when in Japan
03:52 Language issues in Japan
05:04 is Japan safe for solo travelers?
05:57 why you should stay connected in Japan
06:50 Transportation and Solo travel
07:55 Getting Lost in Japan
08:42 Plans change when you travel Japan
09:40 Baby steps if you are worried
10:54 Where to stay
12:51 Money and cash as a solo traveler
13:58 Day tours can help
14:28 So will you travel solo in Japan?
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21 Comments
Check out this video: Best place to shop in Tokyo (Easy locations) https://youtu.be/uu3WdoWLOnM
Both times I've gone I've been solo, I'll be solo again next year for my trip. I love it cause I'm on my own schedule and I don't have to deal with others. I do get lonely sometimes but it's more freeing.
hmmm,… for solo travel I would avoid some neighborhoods in Tokyo and definitely anywhere in Kobe around the Yamaguchi-gumi. Then too, hiking alone, especially in Akita and Hokkaido Prefecture forest is too dangerous I think, even with a bear bell. If a wild boar sees you and charges, you are doomed. For melon-pan, you may like Kimuraya in Ginza.
Solo travel is the bast way in my option I don't think I could travel with other if I want a lasy day I have one if I want an Active day I have one and if I want to jump on a radom train and see where I end up , No need for a schedule. Or an itinerary. Or on your body else is ideal of what you should be doing it's freedom. To do as you like.here is only one person to blame if ot goes wrong
👍👍
Great video Nathan. I agree with everything you said in this video. The important thing is to just do it solo. If you always wait for people to accompany you, many if not most trips will never happen. Japan is very open to the solo traveller. Best tip eat or drink at the same establishments (if they're good and I haven't found one that isn't). The staff will acknowledge at the very least, or become friendly acquaintances at the very least.
Solo is the way. Watch while booking hotels though. Just learned something new. Solo rooms are almost always smoking rooms. Non smocking are twinbeds, which can cost more.
Eating alone is ok, but…. some of the more "distinguished" options (es: yakatabune, some reservation in slightly more upscale places, etc…) are only available for a minimum of two people…😅
Anyway: that's a great idea (also) going to familiar places as You suggested…. I personally loved a certain "Torikizoku" because it is located in a very nice place, easy to reach and very "reassuring" to me those times, in the evenings, I returned "home" a little bit tired after a long tourist day in Tokyo…
Anyway the very first days in Tokyo (first time, solo traveller after quite some time, awful weather, jet lag, etc…) had been a little bit "hard" for me too, not particularly because of loneliness, but just for mere stress and disorientation (and have I already mentioned the awful weather???)…😅
I am back to my Country and I definitely belong to those people who "need" to do something at least one time before they really start to somewhat get comfortable (and less tense) about it… so I will be definitely back to Japan and I think I will really be more and more at ease…
I suppose that also many Japanese people are this way: it seems to me that they "hate" to do something they are not 100% sure of mastering… just as it happens with english language: many people surely know a lot of basic words and they are able to understand basic phrases… but, since it is english and they are not used to it and they "fear" to make some mistakes, they "close" their minds (and ears) to it….😁
I love this video! It’s not just good advice for solo travellers but couples as well. I always travel with my husband but we sometimes do seperate things. I will go for long walks and shopping by myself. He will go out and look at other things while I’m shopping. Eating by yourself is so good sometimes as you can just eat and not worry about having a conversation unless you want to. I also agree with frequenting the same places as we do this often. We usually stay at the same place, if not then the same area. People remember us from previous trips and that is a nice feeling. Everyone will get lost at some point but I just embrace that and see something I’ve never seen before. We were going to Nara one day and got on the train to Kobe instead. We just changed our plans that day and enjoyed Kobe for the day. Don’t get stressed out if things don’t go according to plan because it is only you that is inconvenienced. Give yourself plenty of time in case things don’t go right and just enjoy it, after all it is your holiday!
Be brave! I traveled to Tokyo and Gifu. I am a visually impaired traveler. Use a good translaton app. 😂😂😂
Wal-Mart parking lots are more dangerous than Shinjuku!😂
I have traveled alone to Japan several times. What I have found is that Japanese people are less intimidated by a solo traveler. I have always had interesting discussions with Japanese people even with the language barrier.
I did my first ever solo travel trip to Japan from the States earlier this year and it was a truly amazing experience. Being the first in my family to travel abroad overseas in another country, it was a great stepping stone for myself. I appreciated the journey a lot starting from checking in to the airport for international departure to actually getting there. And it is something I will definitely do a lot more often as it's something I can see myself doing for the long run and something I value a lot.
For anyone reading this comment and on the fence consider traveling solo (even if looking at the airline site for booking if it's right now and if able to or have thoughts), just do it. It will definitely be a super beneficial experience for learning how to travel solo not just Japan but to other countries. It definitely does help if knowing some basic Japanese but if not no need to worry, Thanks to today's technology there is Google Translate, ChatGPT, and other sources online like YouTube where you can learn basic phrases to get by as a tourist. There's also Google Maps too which gives a really good accurate information how to navigate around the cities whether in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, or other prefectures.
I would say that definitely solo traveling to Japan is a great way to really learn about yourself and a great way to learn and experience travel logistics like transportation, accommodations, flight booking, currency exchange, and more. Definitely something that can teach other future fellow travelers if they ever want to travel anywhere else in the world as a solo traveler not just Japan. It builds a lot of confidence and since I was able to do this journey, I believe anyone else can also do it.
If you have read my comment to this point I sincerely thank you for taking the time reading this. It's something I feel anyone should try out the experience and learn from it. I will be traveling back to Japan in the next few months from now.
Tried solo travelling in Japan for the first time earlier this year; and going back again the next. Thanks for the video!
At 17, I took a semester off from Berkeley in the 80s and spent a month exploring Japan. I immersed myself in the nightlife of Kakukicho and Roppongi, creating unforgettable memories.
Went solo for the first time 2 months ago. was so nervous initially and after 3 days in Japan i relaxed and was not nervous. had struggles from time to time. Got on the wrong train a couple of times heading to Kanazawa. Was an adventure of a lifetime. I will say I didn't like Sakura Mobile when traveling. I had poor signal/signal loss several time and it was so slow..
Another banger, dude!
I would add to your list learn or have a list of common dishes on Japanese menus so you have some idea what your ordering. Sometimes translation apps don't contain descriptions of food items also many restaurants will have good items written on paper that are not on the menu and many places have English menus that haven't been updated.
Plus Airbnb is usually your best bet to save money on accommodations plus usually don't need to book that far in advanced except Tokyo and Kyoto those cities are tough to find good deals with short notice.
I would say if you do travel with someone in Japan make sure they are not a picky eater, slow walker, drinker, or overplanner otherwise it easy to travel alone on with one other person.
he is such a sexy rat
Tokyo Banana brings us all together!
I’m just finishing my first Japan solo trip, and it’s been lovely. Yes it’s overwhelming at first, but it becomes more and more manageable as you get used to the processes. Thank you Ninja Monkey, your videos are very helpful 👋🏻